Was at the game and was very impressed with the way the team played, but enough has been sid about the way the team played. What I was impressed with the most, Sullivan, Elliot and even Matty Holland agreed was the level of support we gave the team from beginning to end. Lets just hope when the going gets tough that we stick behind an improving and young team and give them the moral support they will defiantly need
One negative for me was Wiggins, seems half a yard off the pace, wonder if he's lacking a bit of confidence or hasn't settled as well as the others. He didn't have a nightmare but was definitely the weak link.
Bradley Allen + 1 other on Essex radio were impressed by Wiggins just calmly sticking with an opponent & making his tackle at just the right time rather then rushing in. You were there mate I wasn't, just a different view. Have to say Bradley is right behind Charlton & loving our team & the way we've started the season
Was at the game and was very impressed with the way the team played, but enough has been sid about the way the team played. What I was impressed with the most, Sullivan, Elliot and even Matty Holland agreed was the level of support we gave the team from beginning to end. Lets just hope when the going gets tough that we stick behind an improving and young team and give them the moral support they will defiantly need
i don't think there's any worries on that score - we can all see that the club have invested and the players are good so i'm sure there'll be encouragement with the odd blip. I think the problem in the last few years is that we were banging our head against a brick wall trying to encourage something that just wasn't capable and that gets tiresome. The abuse, however unhelpful, was never about players not trying, it was frustration at their lack of ability. It was one of those things, this is a new era and the normal attitude of encouragement will resume again now i'm sure.
One negative for me was Wiggins, seems half a yard off the pace, wonder if he's lacking a bit of confidence or hasn't settled as well as the others. He didn't have a nightmare but was definitely the weak link. Bradley Allen + 1 other on Essex radio were impressed by Wiggins just calmly sticking with an opponent & making his tackle at just the right time rather then rushing in. You were there mate I wasn't, just a different view. Have to say Bradley is right behind Charlton & loving our team & the way we've started the season
haven't seen him play other than the den Bosch game but if i were Powell i'd have told him to just stick to the defending and the simple things - he was trying too hard in my opinion in that game and a few mistakes by trying too much early on seemed to knock him for the rest of the game. On the little i've seen of him though he looks to have good ability and will become a bit of a star for us but just needs to get a few solid games under his belt for now as i'm sure CP will have told him.
I don't know whether to be annoyed or pleased that John Ward thinks we've got millions and are "buying" promotion.
Pleased - maybe I'm reading something into it, but that comment gave me the impression that he thinks we are going to be one of the teams to beat this season. If your opponents fear you and think that they aren't going to get much out of the match then the game is half won.
His comments probably tell you a bit more about our level of investment this year than the line being trotted out by the club. That's not a crticism as it makes sense. I don't need to have full transparency on everything - i just want to watch a good side.
Thanks for all the reports chaps - it's great reading....I have a big smile on my face. Things are good, and they could get even better...our 'negatives' are only minor quibbles and it looks like the choice of player that we have brought in has been right on the money; e.g Hayes, who might not have been seen as the most inspiring signing, but CP et al clearly saw something in him and now we know what that 'something' was, because he is a class act. The same can be said of many other recent aquisitions.........and to think of some of the talent we have in reserve as well. Massive credit must go to CP, his backroom staff and the directors for their intelligent, forensic, patient approach to completely rebuilding a great football club in the right way. Credit also to the players, who look like they have the Charlton spirit, as well as talent in abundance.
well done the players, management and all the supporters that made the effort to cheer the guys on to a well deserved victory against tricky opponents. We all seemed to have played a small part, keep the faith
I can say that Bournemouth mates, whose opinions I trust, were telling me Wiggins was the real deal and best full back in the division before we got him. He is an attacking full back so will get caugt out at the back from time to time but has sufficient pace to compensate and helps the dynamic of the team. Very pleased with him as with the other signings.
So out of 5000 you loyal boys and girls helped make up 1550 of the crowd, I make that 30% of the crowd made up by Addicks
next match at Bury, last season they averaged 3300, and at 3600 for carlisle and 5000 for wednesday who would have took a lot, i reckon we could do better than the current bar of 30 %. got my tickets today. come on lets shout em out of the match. the atmosphere was fantastic at county and i hear last night was awesome too. lets keep the opponents quiet in their own grounds this season and travel in numbers all the way back to the top flight and enjoy the great journey together.
We've had winning streaks in the past - what brought at least one of them to an end was that teams had worked out what our "plan A" was and we didn't have a "plan B". I've only seen one match, do people that have seen more think Powell and the team can cope? Do they have a "plan B"?
It's one thing to work out what your plan A is, having the ability to counter it is quite another. If you have the best striker playing with a partner both of who can pull defenders all over the place, midfielders who play at pace, who pass & move as a hard working unit who support & push through the gaps created by the front men & all of them capable of scoring it is going to be very difficult to counter our plan A. Defensively I'm not yet 100% convinced but I guess 3 games (2 away) 1 goal conceded tells it's own story. Sooner or later we will play poorly &/or lose a game & then CP will need to lift the players & it's how they react to defeat that will shape our season. I've only seen one game so far & would be interested in hearing others views on leadership on the pitch as so far everything has been going our way, do we have the players who can push us on should things start going against us ?
wiggins is wrongfully targeted as our weakest link, he's been unlucky as the rm's have been their strongest players, antonio was their biggest threat and he handled him well, he is a top lb.
Thoughts from a Colchester fans blog - been compared to Brighton last year:
"It is quite a surprise what a change of faces and heavy investment can do for a side. Charlton looked a much more organised side from the one that visited the Weston Homes last season.
I thought Powell was going to be one of those duff, novelty appointments when he was announced as Charlton boss last year and with the Addicks finishing behind the U’s last season it was looking like I was going to be proved right.
However, this summer Powell has got rid of the deadwood and given licence to create and mould a brand new side.
Dale Stephens, Danny Hollands and Johnnie Jackson are a midfield to die for. I would of thought either if not all three would grace most sides in this league. It’s a perfect combination of steely determination and a real touch of class to go with it.
I am quite surprised how quick that Charlton have gelled as a side too. Most teams struggle a little when they have so many personnel changes, however the Addicks seem to have a great understanding already, which can only bode well for the future.
The defence was solid and Morrison had Kayode Odejayi in his pocket. Antonio did manage to get past Wiggins on a couple of occasions, but there was always another man doubling up to try and stop him.
I was quite impressed with how Charlton were able to win every second ball and the manner in which they closed the U’s down so quickly.
The game was very reminiscent of the U’s encounter against Brighton and Hove Albion last season at the Withdean.
It seems apparent to me that Chris Powell is basing his side on the Brighton model of high tempo of football, and I truly believe that they will finally get the promotion they crave if they continue to play football in the same manner."
At the game and what a difference from two years ago!
Something that I noticed was how much reliance CUFC had on using Rose and Henderson as their outlet on their left flank in the first half. Presumably this has worked well for them so far this season. Anyway, they got absolutely nothing from Wagster and Solly, with the latter having a very good game indeed. All round great performance with no obvious shortcomings.
was there. Everything already said so a few comments on us, the fans.
In recent seasons we have tended to sit there just waiting to criticise and we haven't had to normally wait long. Going to games wasn't much fun. Now, even if they make the odd mistake, we seem right behind the team, every one of them, because they are showing they want it and are prepared to dig in and battle for it plus we are playing football as much as we possibly can. I don't think I heard anyone shout out a single criticism either last night or Saturday. Added to this we have all suddenly found our voices. Okay, we are playing well and yes we are behind the team but I also seem to think this is as much to do with the fact we dispensed with the inane songs previously sung. Two away games and no Family song sung. Excellant. Sing songs that everyone is willing to join in to and we will create noise, sing songs full of profanity etc and we sit quietly. In the end what is best for the team ? Isn't that who we are there to support ? I told my parents the Jonny Jackson song in the car and during the game they joined in. More please. Shame the Dale Stephens song being sung behind me didn't catch on but I'm sure it will. Long may this happy state continue.
Fantastic moment as CP was the last to leave the pitch, gently thumping his arm to the ground in time with the drumbeat and chorus of Charlton fans.........then a brief glance up to our directors and a wave of thanks for their backing so far.
He must have walked down the tunnel, with the cheers still audible, into a dressing room full of smiles.
All the fans have really asked for in recent seasons, is honest, consistent performances, and teamwork.
Well done to the lads for last night, they delivered............ big time.
I think a challenge for Powell could be keeping the team's feet on the ground, its pretty obvious we have a good team - under a Pardew style manager over-confidence and arrogance would't take long to bubble to the surface. What i like about this team is it is young and made up of players with a lot to prove and a decent career ahead of them. Good times and i hope that Powell/Dyer and the rest of the management team continue to keep them humble and focused.
Comments
Reaction from the Colchester manager for anyone interested.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14555303.stm
Bradley Allen + 1 other on Essex radio were impressed by Wiggins just calmly sticking with an opponent & making his tackle at just the right time rather then rushing in. You were there mate I wasn't, just a different view. Have to say Bradley is right behind Charlton & loving our team & the way we've started the season
It's one thing to work out what your plan A is, having the ability to counter it is quite another. If you have the best striker playing with a partner both of who can pull defenders all over the place, midfielders who play at pace, who pass & move as a hard working unit who support & push through the gaps created by the front men & all of them capable of scoring it is going to be very difficult to counter our plan A. Defensively I'm not yet 100% convinced but I guess 3 games (2 away) 1 goal conceded tells it's own story. Sooner or later we will play poorly &/or lose a game & then CP will need to lift the players & it's how they react to defeat that will shape our season. I've only seen one game so far & would be interested in hearing others views on leadership on the pitch as so far everything has been going our way, do we have the players who can push us on should things start going against us ?
"It is quite a surprise what a change of faces and heavy investment can do for a side. Charlton looked a much more organised side from the one that visited the Weston Homes last season.
I thought Powell was going to be one of those duff, novelty appointments when he was announced as Charlton boss last year and with the Addicks finishing behind the U’s last season it was looking like I was going to be proved right.
However, this summer Powell has got rid of the deadwood and given licence to create and mould a brand new side.
Dale Stephens, Danny Hollands and Johnnie Jackson are a midfield to die for. I would of thought either if not all three would grace most sides in this league. It’s a perfect combination of steely determination and a real touch of class to go with it.
I am quite surprised how quick that Charlton have gelled as a side too. Most teams struggle a little when they have so many personnel changes, however the Addicks seem to have a great understanding already, which can only bode well for the future.
The defence was solid and Morrison had Kayode Odejayi in his pocket. Antonio did manage to get past Wiggins on a couple of occasions, but there was always another man doubling up to try and stop him.
I was quite impressed with how Charlton were able to win every second ball and the manner in which they closed the U’s down so quickly.
The game was very reminiscent of the U’s encounter against Brighton and Hove Albion last season at the Withdean.
It seems apparent to me that Chris Powell is basing his side on the Brighton model of high tempo of football, and I truly believe that they will finally get the promotion they crave if they continue to play football in the same manner."
At the game and what a difference from two years ago!
Something that I noticed was how much reliance CUFC had on using Rose and Henderson as their outlet on their left flank in the first half. Presumably this has worked well for them so far this season. Anyway, they got absolutely nothing from Wagster and Solly, with the latter having a very good game indeed. All round great performance with no obvious shortcomings.